Joe Fred Hire, 90
Joe Fred Hire, age 90, of Lafayette, Tenn., passed away April 12, 2009, at Knollwood Manor. Funeral services were conducted Tue., April 14, 2009 from the Alexander Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Don Rhoads officiating. Larry Graves, Donald Dyer, and the Knollwood Staff and Employees served as honorary pallbearers. Jerry Marsh, David West, Rick Hunter, Donald Huntsman, Buford Wix, and Brian Driver served as active pallbearers. Interment followed in the Haysville Cemetery in Macon County, Tenn.
Joe Fred Hire was born on Oct. 14, 1918 in the Green Valley Community of Macon County, one of six children to the late Willie K. and Nannie Farley Hire. He married the former Frances Pauline Raney Hire Nov. 11, 1939, sharing sixty-nine years together and raising two children, Ms. Frances survives. Besides his parents; one brother, Frank Hire, four sisters, Lucille Conner, Laymon Smith, Edna Manion, and infant, Irene Hire, and one grandson, Michael Joe Hire, also preceded him in death. As a young boy Joe had to quit school to help on the family farm, he learned many valuable lessons that he was able to pass on to his own children. He developed strong work ethics, honesty, and integrity. He felt blessed to have been raised in a loving home, and took to church. He was saved as a young boy and united with Highland General Baptist Church where he was faithful in attending until his health no longer permitted. His love for his family was above all, but his care and friendship for his friends, neighbors, and fellowman was evident by the time he spent doing for others. When his brother was in the nursing home, Mr. Joe would go to the store every Saturday morning and buy bananas for every single resident and take them to the nursing home. Many may remember seeing him in town, or in a store passing out bubble gum. He bought it by the bucket so he could give it away and see the smile it brought to people’s faces. His kindness and generosity will always be remembered. In addition to his wife, Pauline, he is survived by; children, Rick (Marilyn) Hire of Glasgow, KY, Patricia “Pat” (Leland) Hargis of Lafayette, grandchildren, Crystal (John) Nix of Florence, AL, and Nathan Hire of Glasgow, KY, and two great grandchildren, MaKayla and Jarod Hire of Harrodsburg, KY.
